Intro to Creative Writing

** ATTENTION PARENTS ** 
This course generally runs for 12 weeks during the year (one session a week) except for the summer months of June-August. During this time, you will find the course posted for a six-week run with two sessions held each week. Please reach out if you have any questions.

In this 12-session course, students will write in every class, exploring different writing techniques and styles. Writing skills will be developed through pre-writing, editing, re-writing, and critiquing. Student writers will also examine various styles of writing by reading works of poetry, songs, short stories, dialogues, haikus, stream-of-consciousness selections, and more. Goals will be met through a variety of reading, writing, and speaking activities. Additionally, student writers must be willing to share their work; that is, they must be willing to read aloud and share their ideas with the larger group. Young writers will be asked to critique their own work and the work of others in a positive and gentle manner. Writers can expect to discover a lot about themselves and, as part of the class community, learn a great deal about each other through writing and sharing.  A close examination of language will come from exploring how our writing works and what it does when employing various creative methods.

EXPECTATIONS
  • This is an effort-based class: effort, attendance, and engagement will help attendees to grow as a writer.
  • Participation is extremely important. This includes completing all activities, forming thoughtful responses and opinions, and speaking up in class. Student writers are encouraged to hold and express confident opinions, but in a respectful manner at all times. All comments and feedback must be constructive.
  • Attendees will be successful in this class if they are willing to participate, try new things, comment on works and writings, and accept feedback.
  • Teacher and young writers will often work on their writing together.  This means students will need to become accustomed to writing legibly and having other students read their assignments.  Some assignments will need to be typed. 

TO SUCCEED AS A WRITER
  • Trust in and respect yourself and each other
  • Attend class with curiosity and inquisitiveness
  • Come prepared to engage in critical inquiry, analysis, and introspection
  • Actively participate; don’t wait for the teacher to call on you (passive learning)
  • Take risks, make messes, experiment, push yourself 
  • Be intentionally present (physically, mentally, spiritually, and creatively)
  • Login to class on time and meet all deadlines
  • Pay attention to detail and grammar
  • Practice often, create many drafts, and put in the effort
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BASIC COURSE OUTLINE  

Session 01: an introduction to the writing process and mind-mapping
Session 01 home assignment: mind-mapping activity

Session 02: the six-word memoir; effective titles
Session 02 home assignment: six-word memoir activity

Session 03: elements of poetry; character and acrostic poetry
Session 03 home assignment: character and acrostic poetry exercise

Session 04: limerick and haiku poetry
Session 04 home assignment: limerick and haiku activity

Session 05: free verse and concrete poetry
Session 05 home assignment: free verse and concrete activity

Session 06: figurative language; microfiction
Session 06 home assignment: microfiction activity

Session 07: elements of the short story; read/analyze short story
Session 07 home assignment: dialogue activity

Session 08: writing workshop - writing story dialogue; developing characters and conflict in your story
Session 08 home assignment: developing characters and conflict activity

Session 09: writing workshop - setting and plot construction in your short story
Session 09 home assignment: setting and plot construction activity

Session 10: writing workshop - putting it all together; editing and revising 
Session 10 home assignment: story writing edits

Session 11: future letter writing
Session 11 home assignment: future letter activity

Session 12: autobiography activity